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JoySauce Radio: Our favorite Asian diasporic songs from 2025

As the year comes to an end, we are taking a look back at some of our favorite songs by Asian diasporic artists from 2025

From left, cover art for “Past Won't Leave My Bed” by Joji, “Pookie’s Requiem” by Sailorr, and “settle” by Lyn Lapid.

Design by Ryan Quan

Words by Anjana Pawa

JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.

As the year winds down, it’s always a joy to look back at the songs that scored our lives over the past 12 months. From hyperpop bangers to an animated girl group delivering the inspiration we didn’t know we needed, this year brought depth, range, and sparks of electricity just when we needed it the most. We’ve put together the perfect soundtrack to relive the energetic highs, the heartbreaking lows, and every feeling in between. And to cap it all off, we’ve added some fresh tracks to fuel your end-of-year playlist and carry you into the next one. Happy New Year!

“Gnarly” by KATSEYE

KATSEYE’s chart-climbing banger “Gnarly” took 2025 by storm, turning Gen Z slang into an anthem that dominated dance trends all across TikTok and Reels. The track marked the group’s first Billboard Hot 100 entry and solidified their reputation as risk takers. The polarizing structure of the song only added fuel to the conversation. “Gnarly” gave us a glimpse into how KATSEYE thrives on experimentation and chaos. With festival stages, a loyal fandom, and several brand campaigns already under their belt, this girl group’s rise feels like it's just the beginning.

“Golden” by Huntrix

From the blockbuster Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters, “Golden” by Huntrix (performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) became a global earworm. The song shot to number one on the Billboard Global 200 and resonated far beyond the film itself, with the lyrics about overcoming adversity taking center stage. Outside of its anthemic rise on the charts, this also shows us how AA+PI artists are increasingly shaping pop culture from unexpected entry points, whether it be film, music, animation, or all of the above.

“APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars

“APT.” may have been 2025’s song of the year. Even though it was technically released in 2024, the song really saw a meteoric rise in 2025. A cross-cultural pairing that mixed ROSÉ’s emotional, punky edge with Bruno Mars’ effortless charisma and charm, nobody would’ve thought these two would make magic. Drawing inspiration from youth culture and late-night drinking games in apartments in Seoul, the song blends indie-rock elements with pop beats, creating something that feels instantly and universally fun. We’ll keep listening to this one well into 2026 at house parties and beyond.

“Pookie’s Requiem” by Sailorr (with Summer Walker)

With “Pookie’s Requiem,” Sailorr plays with heartbreak as if it’s theater, delivering a breakup anthem that is both devastating and self-aware. The Vietnamese American artist went viral for this track in 2025 and it was both the song and the paired visuals that played a part. It wasn’t just about relatability—it was about presentation, from the dramatic music video to the song’s humorously dark lyrics.

“Run It Up” by Hanumankind

“Run It Up” is quintessential Hanumankind, blending sharp and quick rap verses with production rooted in traditional Indian beats and rhythms. The track centers ambition and self-determination while grounding itself in cultural pride, offering a version of hip-hop to the listener that feels rooted in the artist’s heritage and upbringing. As conversations around global hip-hop continue to expand, Hanumankind’s work helped push South Asian representation further into the spotlight, especially in 2025 when he played at Coachella.

“Settle” by Lyn Lapid

“Settle” captures Lyn Lapid at her most introspective and vulnerable, which is arguably where she shines. The track offers a gentle meditation on uncertainty, self-doubt, and the pressure to have everything figured out. Rather than chasing pop beats and fast-paced energy, Lyn leans into the restraint and soft side of music, letting the songwriting do a lot of the heavy lifting. “Settle” affirms her passion for emotional honesty in a fast-moving industry.

“Sweet Tooth” by BINI

With “Sweet Tooth,” Filipino girl group BINI compares an irresistible crush to sugary cravings you can't seem to quit. And the song is just as addictive as the craving itself. The music video’s candy‑colored visuals add an extra pop to the packaging of the track. The year 2025 was a huge one for these up-and-coming pop queens. They amassed more than a billion streams on their songs and were announced as Coachella 2026 performers, making history as the first Filipino pop group to play the coveted stage.

“Past Won’t Leave My Bed” by Joji

Joji’s end-of-year comeback, “Past Won’t Leave My Bed,” continues his thematic exploration of emotional depth and vulnerability, pairing his usual dreamy production with lyrics about old memories of a lost love and unresolved pain. Fans connected deeply to the song’s vulnerability, embracing it as one of his most relatable releases to date. The song showcases his growth as a songwriter, adding some poetic edge to his storytelling. His upcoming album is set to release in the new year.

“Ginger Tea” by Emei

“Ginger Tea” is Emei’s release of grief, capturing the strange in-between state of loss in which comfort and absence coexist. Written as a tribute to her late grandmother, the track uses simple lines like “I wonder what it would be like to hear your advice / To feel your proud eyes when I make the recipe right” to talk about the everyday moments that make grief so hard to overcome. The song proves that she is as an artist unafraid to write about loss with tenderness, patience, and softness.

“Tomorrow” by The Rose

“Tomorrow” feels like a culmination of The Rose’s journey, blending their signature emotional depth with lyrics emphasizing perseverance and hope. The Rose’s ability to channel hardship into catharsis and their honesty gives the song particular weight, especially for fans who have followed them through years of transition in the K-pop industry. As an end-of-year listen, “Tomorrow” feels like both reflection and release of everything holding you back going into the next year.